April 08, 2005

As people around the world reflect on the life of Pope John Paul II, many remember that the pope’s negative pronouncements on homosexuality and on sexuality generally, have been a source of great pain.

Pope John Paul II, who died on April 2, led the Catholic Church for 26 years and was the longest reigning Pope in recent history. He presided over a church that grew to a billion people and became well known for his opposition to communism and high profile visits to 127 countries. ...

The pope called homosexuality “evil”, and used his position as head of the Catholic Church to oppose the use of birth control and of condoms against AIDS and to exert political pressure against gay rights and same-sex marriage. He also attempted to scapegoat gay priests for the priest sex abuse scandals, according to Dignity President Sam Sinnett.